Claus Sulfur Degasification via Gas-Liquid Ejector
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Claus sulfur recovery process produces liquid sulfur with high levels of dissolved hydrogen sulfide, posing safety and environmental risks due to toxicity, explosive hazards, emissions, product quality issues, and corrosion, and existing degassing methods often use excessive air, leading to unnecessary emissions.
Innovation Solution
A degasification process using a gas-liquid ejector with pumped liquid sulfur as the motive force and ambient air, combined with a static mixer and packed bed to enhance air-sulfur contact, effectively decomposing hydrogen polysulfides and removing hydrogen sulfide, with recycled air maintaining a safe sweep rate to prevent explosive limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If excessive air is used for degassing, then hydrogen sulfide removal is improved, but sulfur emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of air flow rate from excessive to controlled/optimal levels. By using a venturi injector system that introduces air at controlled rates (typically 0.5-2 vvm), the process achieves effective H2S removal while minimizing sulfur emissions that would result from excessive aeration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical agitation systems with a venturi injector-based aeration system. This substitution allows for more precise control of air introduction and reduces mechanical energy input, thereby achieving degassing with controlled air rates that prevent excessive sulfur emissions.
2Productivity
If high air flow rate is used, then degassing speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a venturi injector system that utilizes the liquid sulfur's own flow energy to draw in and mix air. This pneumatic-hydraulic approach eliminates the need for separate air compressors or high-energy blowers, achieving effective degassing speeds through passive mixing driven by the liquid flow itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the pumped liquid sulfur to provide the motive force for air introduction through the venturi effect. The liquid sulfur itself serves as the energy source for aeration, eliminating external energy inputs and achieving cost-effective degassing.
3Quantity of substance
If intense mixing is applied, then mass transfer is improved, but liquid sulfur fracture increases
Solution Approach 1:
The venturi injector system creates gentle yet effective mixing through gas-liquid flow interaction. The air bubbles rise through the liquid sulfur, creating mild turbulence that enhances mass transfer without the intense mechanical shear forces that would cause liquid sulfur fracture and dust generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air bubbles that create subtle vibrational and turbulent effects in the liquid sulfur, enhancing mass transfer at the gas-liquid interface without requiring intense mechanical mixing that would compromise liquid sulfur integrity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This process efficiently decomposes and removes hydrogen sulfide from liquid sulfur, reducing toxicity, explosive risks, emissions, and corrosion, while improving the quality of formed sulfur products by maintaining a controlled and safe sweep air rate, aligning with international standards.
Implementation Method 1
contacting said liquid sulfur containing dissolved hydrogen sulfide with air to evolve the hydrogen sulfide from the liquid sulfur through the intensity of the mixing/turbulence and interfacial contact between the liquid sulfur and the air
Implementation Method 2
through the intensity of the mixing/turbulence and interfacial contact between the liquid sulfur and the air
Implementation Method 3
effectively decomposing hydrogen polysulfides and removing hydrogen sulfide
Implementation Method 4
enhance air-sulfur contact, effectively decomposing hydrogen polysulfides and removing hydrogen sulfide
Implementation Method 5
to evolve the hydrogen sulfide from the liquid sulfur
Implementation Method 6
The equilibrium concentration of H2S in liquid sulfur under atmospheric conditions is quite low... the natural result is the liberation of H2S gas
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for degasification of Claus-derived sulfur by the use of gas-liquid eductor using the liquid sulfur as the ejector motive force and ambient sweep air as the active degassing agent combined with a static mixer and packed bed for promoting the intimate contact of the air and the sulfur.